Cookstown tough tie for Monkstown

MEN'S HOCKEY:THE SECOND round of the Irish Hockey League provides the focus this weekend, with eight of the 12 competing clubs looking for their first wins, and Banbridge and Instonians seeking their first points.

In Pool A, first meets second, Monkstown, the only club to pick up a victory and bonus point a fortnight ago when they beat Instonians 4-0, away to Cookstown. The tie is a repeat of April’s Irish Senior Cup final when the Ulster side ended their 24-year wait for success in the competition.

Cookstown will be without captain Godfrey Irwin for the foreseeable future after he sustained a fractured skull and perforated ear drum when hit by a short corner in last weekend’s European Hockey League defeat to Amsterdam.

Banbridge were also in EHL action last weekend, producing fine performances against UHC Hamburg and Montrouge of France, losing 5-3 and 4-3, before bowing out of the competition.

At home to Cork Harlequins tomorrow, they need to get back on track after being beaten by Cookstown in their opening IHL game. Instonians, too, could do with a win over Glenanne at Shawsbridge after that defeat to Monkstown.

In Pool B, Annadale (away to YMCA) and Lisnagarvey (away to Church of Ireland), will be looking to make it two IHL wins out of two, YMCA hoping home advantage can help them avenge their 4-1 defeat to Annadale in the Irish Senior Cup three weeks ago.

The round is completed by an all-Leinster affair at Grange Road, Three Rock Rovers hosting Pembroke Wanderers. Pembroke were held at home by Church of Ireland a fortnight ago, while Rovers lost 2-1 away to Annadale.

WEEKEND FIXTURES

Saturday – Irish Hockey League – Pool A: Banbridge v Cork Harlequins, Havelock Park, 1pm; Instonians v Glenanne, Shawsbridge, 2.30; Cookstown v Monkstown, Coolnafranky, 3pm. Pool B: Church of Ireland v Lisnagarvey, Garryduff, 2.30; Three Rock Rovers v Pembroke Wanderers, Grange Road, 2pm; YMCA v Annadale, Alex College, 1.30.